Remarkables Primary School has signed up to a scheme run by non-profit organisation Solar Buddy.
Pupils, aged 9 and 10, will fundraise $20 each to cover the costs of materials and shipping, then assemble the lights in science classes.
The lights will be sent to children in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, along with handwritten notes from the children who made them.
Kerosene lanterns are the principal source of light in developing nations but they are dangerous and damage the environment.
The World Bank estimates breathing kerosene fumes is the same as smoking two packets of cigarettes a day.
Solar Buddy NZ co-ordinator Kate Rowland said: ``It's about combating energy poverty and moving to renewable energy.
``It benefits the kids on both sides.
``The educational pack covers everything, all sorts of topics - renewable energy, energy poverty, geography, and then putting the lights together.''
The Buddy2Buddy scheme was launched in Australia and China earlier this year and lights have been sent to communities in Uganda, Somalia and Papua New Guinea.
They use the lights for reading, homework and toilet trips.
Ms Rowland wanted all primary schools in the country to sign up to the scheme and for it to become part of the syllabus.
Remarkables principal Debbie Dickson said the project worked well with the school's vision and values.
``It covers renewable energy, electronics, financial literacy, literacy and their role as global citizens.''
Inventor Simon Doble created the small sealed unit, which runs for 10 hours, to help the two billion people who have no access to safe and reliable electricity.
